NATCHEZ — Open auditions for the play “Fences” at the Natchez Little Theatre began Saturday for residents to tryout for parts in the award-winning play.

“Fences” is a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize winning play by August Wilson in 1983. NLT volunteer actors will perform the production in November.

“It’s an opportunity for local African American talent to shine in an internationally recognized play,” said NLT executive director and director Layne Taylor.

The play follows Troy Maxson and his family in the 1950s as the black family struggles to stay together in a segregated Pittsburg.

“‘Fences’ is actually one of my favorite plays of all time,” said Michael Ware, who aduitioned Saturday.

“It was one of the first plays I ever read, and it’s one of the plays that got me into theater”

Ware auditioned for the role of Troy’s son Cory. Ware said he related to the character when he was younger as a teenager who wanted to be an actor in the same way Cory wanted to be a professional football player in the production.

The feeling only got stronger with age when Ware joined the air force much like how Cory joined the military.

Cory returns home after serving in the military near the end of the play, which mirror’s Ware returning from the Air Force last November.

“Layne stresses the importance of this being an organic play,” Ware said. “And in the role of Cory, I can be myself.”

Taylor said organic dialogue is important to the play, and actors will be meeting three times a week to read through the script until the conversation feels authentic.

“You’re going to know the whole play, because you have to,” Taylor said to the handful of auditioning actors.

“It’s going to be a wonderful acting experience.”

NLT veterans auditioned with Terrence Robinson reading the part for Troy and Beverly Adams reading for Troy’s wife Rose.

Four of the characters were not auditioned for on Saturday, but Taylor said he is hopeful more actors will audition today.

“We’ve never not been able to cast a show,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he will start searching for actors if there are not enough people auditioning, but NLT will prolong auditions until next weekend before then.

Auditions will also be from 2 to 4 p.m. today.

NLT is located at 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street.